invert

1 of 2

verb

in·​vert in-ˈvərt 

inverted; inverting

transitive verb

1

a

: to reverse in position, order, or relationship

b

: to subject to inversion

2

a

: to turn inside out or upside down

b

: to turn inward

3

: to find the mathematical reciprocal of

to divide using fractions, invert the divisor and multiply

4

: to reincorporate (a company) as a new entity in a foreign country : to put (a company) through the process of inversion (see inversion sense 6)

Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress have questioned the patriotism of corporate executives who elect to invert their companies.

—Stephen Ohlemacher

invert

2 of 2

noun

in·​vert ˈin-ˌvərt 

: one characterized by inversion

Synonyms of invert

Verb

• flip
• reverse

Choose the Right Synonym for invert

reverse, transpose, invert mean to change to the opposite position.

reverse is the most general term and may imply change in order, side, direction, meaning.

reversed his position on the trade agreement

transpose implies a change in order or relative position of units often through exchange of position.

transposed the letters to form an anagram

invert applies chiefly to turning upside down or inside out.

the number 9 looks like an inverted 6

Examples of invert in a Sentence

Verb

The lens inverts the image.

The number 9 looks like an inverted 6.

invert the order of two words in a sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Try inverting the plant pot over your hand and gently shaking the African violet out. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026

This inverts journalism’s historical role. —Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026

The design, Hing said, intentionally inverts the traditional characterization of the yeak as an antagonistic or even demonic force. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026

That means the pumping chambers in the ventricles of the heart are inverted so that the one that evolved to pump blood to the lungs ends up pumping to the brain and the one that evolved to pump to the brain ends up pumping to the lungs. —Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin invertere, from in- + vertere to turn — more at worth

First Known Use

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing invert

• invert sugar

Rhymes for invert

• alert
• assert
• avert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• nightshirt
• overt
• revert

Kids Definition

invert

verb

in·​vert

in-ˈvərt

1

: to reverse the position, order, or relationship of

2

a

: to turn inside out or upside down

b

: to turn inward

3

: to find the mathematical reciprocal of

to divide using fractions, invert the divisor and multiply

Medical Definition

invert

transitive verb

in·​vert in-ˈvərt 

1

a

: to reverse in position, order, or relationship

adjacent sequences of DNA and RNA that are complementary and inverted

b

: to subject to inversion

2

a

: to turn inside out or upside down

b

: to turn inward

when a foot is inverted its forepart tends to approach the midline of the body

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

intransitive verb

: to undergo inversion

a normal nipple that inverts later in life can be an ominous sign

—P. G. Donohue